Maimonides

Written in a rich Hebrew prose interwoven with scriptural verses, Maimonides' letters address challenging issues faced by the Jewish community. The fanatic Almohadeen reign of terror made Spanish Jews choose between Islam and death, forcing Jews to hide their identity, yet observing whatever they could in secret. In this letter, Maimonides responds to a zealot who condemned these Jews as heretics who, he claimed, were no longer considered Jewish.

...I point to this person's grave error, and the damage he caused...Although well meaning, his statements cause great harm. Let us look back at historic precedents. Before the Exodus, the Israelites strayed from their tradition and violated the covenant. Except for the tribe of Levi, none were circumcised, which is why G‑d told Moses "The uncircumcised may not eat the Paschal lamb"....

Israel was unfaithful, yet G‑d punished Moses for underestimating them. When Moses questioned, "Perhaps they will not believe me?" G‑d admonished him: "Moses, they are believers, the children of believers." Moses was punished for questioning Israel's faith.

Similarly, in Elijah's days, a majority of Israel was involved in idol worship. Nevertheless, Elijah was taken to task for complaining that.. "Israel forsook Your covenant, destroyed Your altars, and killed Your prophets." (Kings I 19:9).

G‑d admonished Elijah. "Instead of focusing on Israel's faults, you should rather denounce the wicked nations..." (Kings I 19:15)

Likewise, in Isaiah's times, Israel was steeped in sin, as it says, "Woe, sinful nation! People laden with iniquity! (Isaiah 1:4). They worshipped idols ...and had murderers among them, as it says, "Alas, the faithful city is filled with iniquity" (Isaiah 1:21). Desecrating God's Name, they treated Torah with contempt, saying, "Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 30:11).

In spite of all this, when Isaiah berated Israel saying, "I live with people of unclean lips," he was immediately punished, as it says "an angel with a hot coal touched my lips and said, 'Now your sin is cleansed" (Isaiah 6:5-7). ....

At another time, when an angel spoke against Joshua son of Yehozadak, he was rebuked, as it is written, "G‑d rebukes you, O Satan...for this is a brand plucked from the fire" (Zech. 3:2).

We see how even great pillars like Moses, Elijah, Isaiah and the heavenly angels- were chastised for their disparaging remarks about Israel. Can you imagine the gravity of slandering entire Jewish communities, denouncing them as 'sinners,' and "heretics?" He even had the audacity to record these slanderous remarks in his own handwriting!

These forced converts did not rebel against G‑d for mere pleasure and enjoyment. They didn't abandon Judaism to attain status or mundane delights,"For they fled before ...the sharp sword and stress of war' (Isaiah 21:15). They are not willful transgressors, and G‑d will not abandon or forsake them.